Delhi Attractions

Red Fort

The Red Fort, known locally as , is Delhi's
signature attraction, rising high above the clamour of Old Delhi as
a reminder of the power and prosperity of the Mogul Empire. The
massive sandstone walls were built in the 17th century to keep out
marauding invaders, and still dominate the city's skyline today.
Inside is an array of exquisite buildings, which once provided the
living quarters for Shah Jehan, his courtiers, family and staff of
three thousand. Visitors can marvel at the intricate decoration and
only imagine the scenes here at the empire's height, when the walls
were studded with precious stones and a 'stream of paradise' drove
an ingenious air conditioning system. The fort was the scene of the
Indian Uprising of 1857 and the mighty Lahore Gate, on the west
side of the fort, remains a potent symbol of India's fight for
independence. There are frequent sound and light shows in the
evenings at the fort but they are conducted in Hindi; some audio
guides are sometimes available to translate into French and
English. The fort is vast and there is a lot to explore so it is
best to allow a few hours for this famous attraction; seeing
everything means covering quite a lot of ground so come prepared to
do some walking.

Jama Masjid

Shah Jehan, the architect of the Red Fort and much of Old Delhi,
built Jama Masjid between 1644 and 1656. This grand structure is
situated on a hill a few hundred yards west of the Red Fort, and
towers over the mayhem of Old Delhi's sprawling streets. Jama
Masjid is India's largest mosque, and can hold 25,000 worshipers at
one time. Wide red sandstone steps lead to entrances on the north,
south and east sides of the mosque. Inside is a massive courtyard,
dominated by two red-and-white striped sandstone minarets that cap
the main prayer hall on the west side (facing Mecca). There are
smaller towers at each corner of the mosque, and energetic visitors
can climb the 122 narrow steps of the southern one to be rewarded
with magnificent views of Old and New Delhi. Those wearing shorts
or skirts can hire a to cover their legs; women
wearing T-shirts should bring a scarf to cover their shoulders; you
will be required to leave your shoes at the entrance. Tourists
frequently complain that the people managing the mosque are rude
and try to get as much money as possible out of visitors by
charging for things like shoe storage and modesty dresses they
insist women wear even if they are appropriately clad. The best way
to deal with these inconveniences is to have a local guide with you
to steer you through the process.

Qutub Minar

The Qutub Minar is a mammoth tower that was built between 1193
and 1369 to symbolise Islamic rule over Delhi, and to commemorate
the victory by Qutab-ud-din over the city's last Hindu king.
Standing 238ft (72m) tall, the tower is decorated with calligraphy
representing verses from the Koran, and tapers from a 50ft (15m)
diameter at the base to just 8ft (2.5m) at the top. There are five
distinct storeys, each encircled with a balcony: the first three
are built of red sandstone, and the upper two are faced with white
marble.
At the foot of the minhar stands Quwwat-ul-Islam - India's oldest
mosque, largely built from the remains of 27 Hindu and Jain temples
destroyed by the Muslim victors. The cloisters that flank the
nearby courtyard are supported by pillars that were unmistakably
pilfered from Hindu temples - but fascinatingly, the faces that
would have adorned these pillars have been removed to conform to
Islamic law, which strictly forbids iconic worship.
Somewhat incongruously, in the corner of the mosque stands the Iron
Pillar, bearing fourth-century Sanskrit inscriptions of the Gupta
period dedicating the structure to the memory of King Chandragupta
II (373-413). It is said that anyone who can encircle the pillar
with their hands whilst standing with their back to it will have
their wishes fulfilled.

Humayun�s Tomb

Humayun's Tomb is one of the best-preserved and most beautiful
examples of Mogul architecture in Delhi, and is often seen as a
forerunner of the Taj Mahal in Agra. Building started on the tomb
in 1564 after the death of Humayun, the second Moghul emperor - and
its construction was overseen by Haji Begum, his senior widow and
the mother of Akbar. The tomb is an octagonal structure capped by a
double dome that soars 125ft (38m) into the sky, and is set in a
formal Persian garden. In the grounds are some other worthwhile
monuments, including the Tomb of Isa Khan. Some careful restoration
work has been done on some of the buildings and art but nothing
important has been altered and the site has not lost its sense of
authentic old age. Visiting this attraction is great for the
uninitiated because it is the perfect introduction to the
architecture, symbolism and importance of memorial tombs in India.
For photography lovers the tomb, with its red colouring and
geometric designs, is a wonderful subject. Tourist infrastructure
is somewhat lacking, with only a few stalls, a tiny exhibit and no
real public toilets - but, on the plus side, it is also less
crowded and commercial and visitors can wander freely.

Rashtrapati Bhavan

After his visit in 1911, the Emperor of India, King George V,
decreed that the capital should be moved from Calcutta to Delhi.
Edwin Lutyens was commissioned to plan the new government centre,
which he focused around Rajpath - the grand, tree-lined boulevard
that runs between the Secretariat Buildings and India Arch, the war
memorial built in 1921. Rashtrapati Bhavan was built by Lutyens and
Sir Herbert Baker between 1921 and 1929, on the gentle slope of
Raisina Hill, flanked by the Secretariat Buildings. This immense
palace, larger than Versailles, was created for the Viceroy and is
now the residence of the President of India. With the exception of
the central copper dome there are few concessions to Indian
architectural style: despite its Classical columns, the building is
unmistakably British and remains a potent symbol of imperial power.
Every Saturday morning between 9.35am and 10.15am guards parade
before the iron gates, in Delhi's answer to London's Changing of
the Guard. The gardens are open to the public every year in
February and March but unfortunately no entry to the palace is
permitted at any time of year; however, the exterior is very
impressive and it is well worth at least a drive by.

Chandni Chowk

No trip to Delhi would be complete without a visit to one of the
bazaars that surround Chandni Chowk (Moonlight Square) in Old
Delhi, where shops and stalls display a wonderful array of goods,
and offer a pungent and colourful insight into everyday Delhi life.
Chandni Chowk has a large number of galis (lanes) and each one is
different, with its own atmosphere and selection of goods to
buy.
Naya Bazaar, on Khari Baoli, is the spice market, displaying a
wonderful range of seasonings in neat, colourful piles. The nearby
Gadodia Market is the wholesale spice market. Hundreds of spices
and condiments can be found there, including aniseed, ginger,
pomegranate, saffron, lotus seeds, pickles and chutneys, to name
just a few.
Chor Bazaar sits behind the ramparts of the Red Fort and comes
to life on Sundays to trade a collection of 'second-hand' goods.
Chawri Bazaar was once notorious for the ladies who beckoned men
from the arched windows and balconies above the street - but today,
these houses have made way for shops specialising in brass and
copper Buddhas, Vishnus and Krishnas. Some of the busiest galis
(east of Kalan Mahal) house the poultry and fish markets, but most
tourists wisely avoid these areas.